The free event runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mar. 30 in downtown's East Village area

Receive the latest local updates in your inbox

Padres Opening Day is on Mar. 30, 2014, when the team takes on the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park.

Updated at 10:23 AM PST on Saturday, Mar 29, 2014

Padres baseball season is upon us, and so is one heck of a block party in downtown San Diego.

Opening Day is this Sunday when the Padres take on the Los Angeles Dodgers at Petco Park. To celebrate the start of the season, a free Opening Day Block Party will take over downtown’s East Village – on J Street, between 6th and 10th avenues – from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Padres FanFest 2014

The family-friendly outdoor event will feature live entertainment from local bands and DJs, interactive games and activities and food from various local eateries and food trucks. Between 7th and 8th avenues, a special country-themed block will host line dancing at 1:30 p.m.

A microbrew beer garden will set up shop between 8th and 9th avenues, boasting cold, delicious craft brews from Mission Brewery, Monkey Paw and Stone Brewery.

Padres' FanFest Hits Homerun

Now, while general admission tickets to Opening Day at Petco Park may be sold out, baseball fans still have a chance to swoop in on a limited number of VIP ticket packages available for the game through the East Village Association.

The package, selling for $250, includes two game tickets behind the Padres dugout and four drink tickets to the beer garden at the Opening Day Block Party. To nab this package, click here.

By the way, proceeds from the party will support the East Village Association and its mission to promote the downtown community. This year, the association is working hard to raise funds for their very own community landmark sign, just like the ones that currently mark hip, urban neighborhoods like Little Italy, North Park and Hillcrest.